Hello: Tom Strobel

Brian already put up a placeholder post, but here's the whole deal. OH DE Tom Strobel has committed to Michigan. I was even beaten by a local paper ("smh," as the kids are saying these days):

"Like most people in Ohio, I was raised with a biased opinion against Michigan. However, it occurred to me that there was no justification for my prejudice, besides the fact that it was Michigan. I think it says something that despite my apprehension, Michigan still stood out above the rest. I am confident that I have made the right decision for my future, and I look forward to beginning my college career as a Wolverine."

Here we go:

GURU RATINGS

ESPN is the outlier as far as Tom's quality as a player goes. While he's a solid 4-star to each of the other sites, the Worldwide Leader has him listed as a "meh" 3-star - though he's not far from four. As size goes, he's a consensus 6-6, with weights ranging from 240 (24/7 Sports) to 250 (Scout and ESPN).

Now that ESPN has some player evaluations up, we'll start there:

He is a tall kid with solid bulk and he displays the room to add more good size with time in a college weight program. He gets off the ball well. For a taller kid he displays the ability to play with some bend and keep solid pad level. He uses his hands and reach well to take on blockers and keep some separation. He displays good upper body strength to not only keep blockers from getting into him but to also shed. He is a solid wrap-up tackler.

He's listed as "tough against the run," but needing work becoming more effective playing the pass (though he can bat down the occasional ball). To me, that sounds more like a strongside end, rather than a weakside guy, but what do I know? On a similar note, Bucknuts has considered him as a 3-tech tackle:

Strobel is one I am having trouble with. I have no doubt about his talent. He was at one time a top ten kid on my list. What I am having trouble with is Strobel being a three-technique tackle. I have not seen him up close so I will defer to those who have, including the Buckeye staff which has offered him as a tackle.

If Ohio State's offer for him was indeed at tackle, than he certainly has plenty of room to grow, and it remains to be seen what position he'll play. He was the subject of a Sam Webb column in the Detroit News earlier this spring:

"The first thing that sticks out about him is that he passes the eye test easily," said [Scout Ohio Analyst] Greene. "He is a true 6-6, with long arms, and probably weighs 240 pounds. He could probably carry another 30-35 pounds easily on that frame. I think he has the chance to maybe be great someday. I think he's a guy who is kind of growing into his body right now. He is just 17 years old and has got another year of high school left. I think his best football is three to four years ahead of us."

That speak to his upside down the road, rather than the idea that he's some sort of finished product. Of course, that means he could be a low-floor, high-ceiling, boom-or-bust type, as well. Greene does say that in a non-crazy year, he'd be the best DE in Ohio. Strobel himself speaks on his game:

"I've got a really good work ethic," Strobel stated. "I'm always hustling to the ball no matter what. Even if it seems the play is already made, I'm always going to be there right behind the tackle or I'll be making the tackle. I'm always hustling to the ball. I think that's the biggest thing you'll notice -- hustle."

Sounds like a gritty grit gritterstein, and a hard worker who can be an asset to any program. From a Scout article ($):

Strobel, 6-foot-6, 240-pounds, certainly passes the look test with flying colors. Strobel stood out for Mentor as an intense, big, physical athlete, and one who plays with a high motor, never taking plays off.

That confirms Strobel's own evaluation of his motor, and "passing the look test" generally equates with either a finished product, or a guy who has the frame to fill out well for the next level. Since it sounds like he's not polished yet, assume the latter. He definitely has the athleticism to dunk the basketball (and block fools, as pictured at right). He's also tough enough that he played through a cracked trachea(!) in a game last year.

He's an Army Game selection.

OFFERS

He was considered an Ohio State lock as recently as March, and held a Buckeye offer (joining MI LB James Ross MI CB Terry Richardson as players on Michigan's commit list with that distinction). For an Ohio prospect - particularly this long before signing day, that is a Big Deal.

Aside from MAC teams, he also held offers from Stanford and Vanderbilt, the entire Big Ten - there are conflicting reports on whether he'd earned one from Penn State - and some of the higher-end Big East teams (West Virginia, Cincinnati, Syracuse, et al.) Another big name on his list is the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Though he didn't have many non-regional offers, his offer list within the region is about as good as it can get. In fact, it is as good as it can get.

STATS

The Scout profile has sophomore and junior stats:

As a sophomore, Strobel made 47 tackles including 10 for a loss and seven sacks.

As a junior, Strobel recorded 37 tackles including five for a loss and two sacks. He also recovered two fumbles.

ESPN points out that his junior stats were enough to earn him a Third-Team All-State selection, and he was first-team all-area. He missed a couple games with the aforementioned trachea injury.

FAKE 40 TIME

Rivals lists Tom with a 4.8-second 40-yard dash time, while 24/7 Sports says 4.90. For a guy whose pass-rushing abilities are dogged in evaluations, but seems to otherwise be an excellent athlete, that doesn't sound too bad. A mere two FAKEs out of five.

VIDEO

The official Mentor account has his Youtube highlights:

24/7 Sports also provides a highlight reel. MSR Ohio highlight.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

Strobel sounds like a guy who can be a big asset down the road, but isn't likely to contribute as a true freshman. Luckily, Brady Hoke has a defensive end obsession, and there will be plenty of guys ahead of him, allowing for a redshirt.

On that note, the defensive ends in Strobel's own class, and the classes in front of him, might make it difficult for him to see the field early on, unless (as predicted by Bucknuts and/or Ohio State's coaching staff) he's a 3-tech tackle in college. SOMEBODY in Michigan's class is going to have to move inside.

Strobel seems like the sort of guy who will burst onto the scene as a redshirt junior or senior, and turn in a surprising All-Big Ten campaign (maybe not first-team, but earning recognition nonetheless).

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Dude, I have no idea. There are thousands of defensive ends on the roster and in this class, and Michigan is in good position for at least a couple more, including Chris Wormley. Somebody is going to have to move. I could see it being Strobel, maybe Matt Godin, or maybe even Wormley, should he end up in this class. Whether any of these guys could be offensive linemen remains to be seen.

At the end of the day, Michigan still needs a nose tackle-type (hopefully MO DT Ondre Pipkins), and sort out positions for all these other guys down the road. With the way this class is being filled out, I don't think it's possible for Hoke and Co. to fit in some of the positions we've been calling "optional," such as quarterback and running back. Without further attrition, there are 2 spots left in the class.